Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-02-12
WOMAN GOSSIP.
Rules of Department.

Ihere IS no one point or Womans ap-
oearance so important as the manner in
which she carries herself.
Her hair, eyes, complexion. hands, feet,
dress are each of secondary consideration.
In America this fact is noticably disre-
garded.
English and continental women are
trained from infancy according to proper
rules. At home, at school, and with gov
ernesses they are taught q proper carriage
and gait.
When the Princess Louise accompanied
her husband, the Marquis of Lorne, to
Canada and attemptedto inaugurate sub
court over which to preside, she was over
whelmed with embarrassment at the ig-
norance of the proper rules of etiquette
disclosed by the ladies attempting to be
presented to her.
1t was privately but positively promul-
gated that ladies must learn to walk and
hold their heads and hands as well as how
to sit before the Princess would hold an
other reception.
The first thing woman should learn is
how to stand. If an American woman
does not look we'll standing it is her own
fault. There is ineness about her figure,
take her as class, unequaled by any other
In the world.
Some European women are frail to
scrawniness, but most of them, like the
English, have figures large and robust, but
heavier and of coarser lines, which do not
compare favorably with the vigorous, 1.-THE
American woman's.
Only let her conform to healthy habits of
posture and movement and her appearance
is regal.
Let her hold her head we'll up and back,
the body slightly inclined from the waist
line. This will naturally throw the chest
forward and the shoulders back. Then,
with the weight evenly distributed on each
foot, stand square on the toes. Heels We're
not made to stand or step on. They are to
be used simply us props to stay the body
from falling backward.
This idea should be specially borne in
mind in walking. Don't come down on
your heels. 1t takes all springiness and
Eghtness from the step, aud makes the
movement awkward and numbering. Did
you ever waltz with man who danced on
his heels? Then you wanted to choke him,
didn't you? Choke the habit of walking so
in yourself, and touch the ground first
with your toes.
When standing or walking do not hold
your hands over your stomach, or place
either or both on your hips. Allow them to
gently hang at your side, with your fingers
slightly curved, when they are not in use.
A very good habit in regard to holding
your hands might be mentioned here.
Strive to keep the palm or inside of the
hand outward. 1t is the prettiest side.
Each knuckle may be dimpled and your
rings may be handsome, but nothing equals
the soft prettiness of the palm of lady's
hand. In handing change or your car
ticket, do it with the inside of the hand up.
This is best, even when you have on very
handsomely embroidered glove.
This suggests the correct position of your
feet. In walking keep the toes turned out,
not too decidedly, so as to make the step
too wide and spreading, but with toes at
slight angle with the heel, exposing the
curved instep. Then walk at moderate,
not too hurried, pace.
There can be nothing refined or dignified
in rushing, plunging gait 1t is more
likely to be INDUCED in, therefore should
be more guarded against, than the slow,
dragging walk, which is also unladylike.
Did you ever notice a class of girls at
their graduating exercises? They looked
very sweet, of course. But did you observe
how they sat?
Some on the edge of their chair, some
occupying but about a square inch of the
side frame, some with their toes turned in,
some with a heel on their chair round. 1t is
shame schools, and colleges as we'll, never
think it worth while to teach students how
to sit.
Teachers never have told the girls they
should seat themselves quietly but firmly,
allowing the dress TO fall gracefully ON one
side, perhaps the teachers did not know the
exact rules themselves.
The knees should be bent and the feet
lightly crossed at the ankles.
AS have limited above, the pretty side Of
the foot is the arched inside. By crossing
the feet, if they are exposed at all, the
pretty curves are seen and the toes rest
lightly on the floor.
Then don't loll, but hold your body
gently, not stiffly, erect.
These rules can not be adopted in day,
but if you know them and practice them
whenever you think of them, and try to
think of them often, you will greatly i'm
prove your appearance.
offer the intelligence to womankind,
but gentlemen might adopt all except the
position of the feet while sitting, to theil
advantage.
To acquire graceful department there
is one most important requisite-self- pos
session.
"Be self possessed, that is the only art
of life" a discerning old fellow, who wal
coaching n young man, said once.
Shyness and self consciousness will ruin
any ease of manner. Practice alone car
give you repose.
But if in a particular case Of embarrass.
ment you stop and think determinedly OF
some one else than yourself and take
good long, breath before going further, you
will gain some composure. Try it and see,